By T. Motsepe

Change or transition, in this context, is equivalent to spiritual growth or repentance or godly transformation. (Rom 2:4, Rom 12:2, Heb 5:12 – 6:3). It also means a deliberate and diligent move from conversion to discipleship by all who’ve believed in, confessed and accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour (Matt 28:18-20). The book of John 8:31-32 reads: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, ‘If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’.” But what is a disciple?

A disciple is a leaner/imitator undergoing change to become less of himself and more of his master’s kind. For anyone to change, it is both the work of the Holy Spirit in that person and the resolve of that individual, in recognition of the value of growth/ change is in his or her life.

Why should I change?

Firstly, you don’t have to be a bad person or bad Christian to change. Change is for all who acknowledge that despite who they are and what they have achieved, there is still more for them in God. We are called both ‘to be and to do’ in Christ and there is more than can last us six life times to be and to do, except that without change we can hardly scratch the surface. Remember that there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written everyone, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written, Amen (John 21:25)

We should change because:

  • We are already changed in Christ: we lag behind who we truly are in Christ. (2 Cor 5:17)
  • We do not belong to ourselves but to Christ: we have not right to misuse what does not belong to us. (2 Cor 5:15, Titus 2:13-14)
  • A changed life is the most appropriate response to God’s love and goodness through Christ. (Ephesians 4: 17-24, emphasis on verse 20, Col 3: 10)
  • The possession of our inheritance in this life depends on our growth in Christ. The one or two things you are currently pursuing in life with all your might are but all you shall primarily gain in this life, without Christ in his proper place in your life. (2 Peter 1:3, Matthew 6:33)
  • Our ambassadorship on earth depend entirely on the knowledge and submission to Christ, the King; and his Kingdom. (2 Cor 5:9-13, 2 Cor 4:5-14)